Heilige Gregorius, omgeven door andere heiligen, vereert de Madonna della Vallicella 1862

Eugène Louis Pirodon created this print, "Heilige Gregorius, omgeven door andere heiligen, vereert de Madonna della Vallicella," at an unknown date. Pirodon, active in the 19th century, worked within a milieu where religious and historical subjects were frequently deployed to reinforce social hierarchies. The print depicts Saint Gregory, surrounded by other saints, venerating the Madonna della Vallicella. The composition reflects the power dynamics inherent in religious devotion, with Gregory positioned as an intermediary between the divine and the earthly realms. The female figures, including the Madonna and the other female saint, are presented in roles of piety and submission, reinforcing traditional gender roles of the period. The inclusion of male saints, some depicted with martial attributes, underscores the intersection of religious and temporal power. This work invites us to reflect on how religious imagery can both inspire personal faith and perpetuate broader societal norms.